Sanusi Obtains Court Order Restraining SSS, AGF, IGP From Harassing Him

Barely one day after his suspension as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has commenced a legal battle with the authority.

Sanusi had yesterday promised to challenge his suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan in court, but while he is yet to take action on that promise, he has already began a legal battle with security agencies over the harassment meted to him yesterday by the State Security Service (SSS), upon his arrival from Niger Republic, where he had gone to attend a meeting of West African Central Bank Governors before his suspension was announced.

Sanusi approached the Federal High Court, Ikoyi complaining of Thursday’s unlawful arrest, detention, and seizure of his passport.

Ruling on the matter, the court granted an order restraining Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar; the State Security Service (SSS); and all agencies of the Federal Government from arresting and detaining suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi — or subjecting him to any form of degrading treatment.

Justice Buba Ibrahim granted the order, pending the determination of a fundamental human rights suit.

Sanusi deemed the actions violations of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and right to dignity of human person, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

He is represented by former Attorney-general of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), and Kola Awodein (SAN).

Justice Buba fixed Friday, 28th February 2014 as return date for the matter.

After his suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday on allegations of “financial recklessness and misconduct” — believed instead to be the consequence of his claim that $20bn in oil revenue was unaccounted for by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) — Sanusi arrived Lagos from Niamey into the waiting hands of men of the State Security Service (SSS), who arrested and detained him briefly, and seized his international passport.

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